Cooking With Mrs. 101

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

My son's Eagle Scout project/ Diaper Dash 5K 2014 will take place this
Saturday, May 3rd. Bring a package or more of unopened diapers to run,
walk, or crawl this family friendly 5K in Marana. A pack or more of
donated diapers and a signed waiver form enters you into the prize
drawing at the end of the race/walk. Prizes include $100 Target Gift
Card from United Financial Center, a FREE full tint good for a small 4
door sedan from A Cut Above Auto Glass & Tint (Valued $120), Certificate
for 1 month of unlimited jump time at AZ Air Time, $50 Gift Card to
your choice of either Olive Garden or Red Lobster, $50 Gift Certificate
to Bookmans, QT Gift Cards, dinners for 2 from Chuy's, Texas Roadhouse,
and Cracker Barrel, and much much more. We have over 50 prizes with more
coming in each day. Two Men and a Truck will be there to transport
diapers to the Diaper Bank. There aredrop off locations all around the Tucson area for those who can't make it but would still like to help.

Boy Scout
Dashing For Diapers

Town of Marana Gets Behind Benefit for Local Diaper Bank

Tucson, AZ, [April 21,2014] The
prize at the end of the May 3 finish line at the Diaper Dash 5K at Gladden Farms Park in Marana
will be diapers, lots of diapers for thousands for Southern Arizonans
in need. The benefit for the Diaper Bank
of Southern Arizona is the brainchild of Devan Ashcraft,
who wanted to do something different for his Eagle Scout project.
Devan and his parents took his idea to the Town of Marana and got
approval to put together the town’s first Diaper Dash: Run, Walk,
Crawl.

"I am hoping that enough
people will bring diapers to help meet the huge need in Southern
Arizona,” said Devan Ashcraft, he noted that even if people didn’t
want to participate in the Dash, he hopes they will still bring
diapers. He became aware of how expensive
diapers were after his little brother was born and started to wonder
how low-income families were able to obtain the diapers and baby
supplies they needed for their infants. As he pondered what he could
do for his Eagle Scout project these struggling families returned to
his mind.

Having participated in benefit
runs for the Marana Food Bank, this varsity cross country and track
runner, decided that a 5K Diaper Dash would be the answer. With the
help of fellow scouts and leaders from Troop 223 and members of his
congregation of The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the
Marana High School freshmen said he hopes this will be a huge success
and become an annual event. Registration
for the Diaper Dash 5K is from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3
and the race starts at 8 a.m. at Gladden Farms Community Park, 12250
North Tangerine Road, Marana.

Cost of registration is one or more
unopened packages of diapers, particularly in sizes 4, 5, 6, 3T, 4T
and adult incontinence pull-up and briefs. Diaper need is a very real
social ill that causes physical and emotional problems, including
shame and guilt for parents and severe diaper rash and urinary tract
infections for babies left in diapers too long. Presently 1 of 3
American mothers report not having an adequate supply of diapers, 48
percent of families report leaving babies in soiled diapers for
extended periods of time and 33 percent report reusing soiled
diapers. The average cost per child per month is $100 for an adequate
supply of diapers. Families report often choosing between buying food
and buying diapers.

The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona distributed almost 650,000 diapers and
incontinence supplies through its 50 plus partner agencies last year,
however, the need is closer to 1.5 million annually throughout
Southern Arizona. To find out more about the Diaper Bank and where to
drop off diapers all year long visit www.diaperbank.org
If you
would like more information about this topic, please email
Stephanie Ashcraft at
ashcraftsteph@yahoo.com.

Monday, January 27, 2014

I
take Rocky Road Brownies
to every teacher luncheon or dinner thrown at my kid's elementary and
middle schools. I once made something different, and people asked where the brownies were. The trick is to not overcook the brownies and let the marshmallows and chocolate chips cool before you cut it. Otherwise, you
get a YUMMY, ooey gooey mess. If you don't mind the ooey gooey mess, let them cool for 5-10 minutes to prevent your mouth from getting burned before serve immediately. Warm from the oven or at room temperature, these brownies are heavenly!

These brownies are so easy to make that I always hesitate to divulge the recipe. Toss the flour on your face and just pretend that you spent all day in the kitchen! Enjoy!

In case you don't know, I write cookbooks as well as try to find ways to save money. My books are geared to those looking to save time and money in the kitchen. Amazon is quick to ship and offers FREE shipping on any order over $25! You can also "Click to Look Inside" on most of my book titles and check out the table of contents! Feel free to visit my author page on Amazon.

Amazon is offering some discounts on the other books as well. If you have a KINDLE, they have SCREAMING deals on the electronic Kindle downloads of the books.

Tune in to KGUN9's The Tucson Morning Blend this morning at 11 a.m. to watch me share easy entertaining desserts that will dazzle your friends and family. Throw the flour on your face and pretend it took all day. Today I'll be sharing recipes from my cookbook, 200 Cake Mix Creations.

CherryCheesecakeTriflefrom200CakeMixCreations

1 white cake mix

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

½ cup milk

1 small box instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding

1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping

2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling*

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions in a 9 x 13-inch pan; let cool. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and pudding mix until smooth and thick. Gently fold in the whipped topping. Crumble half of the cake into the bottom of a trifle bowl. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over cake. Spread 1 can of pie filling over cream cheese layer. Repeat layers. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Any flavor pie filling can be used in this recipe.

ValentineHeartCookiesfrom200CakeMixCreations

1 cherry chip cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 container white frosting

Red food coloring and sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, use a spoon to mix together the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough onto a greased cookie sheet and then form each ball into the shape of a heart. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until light golden brown. Top with frosting that has been mixed with a little red food coloring, if desired, and sprinkles. Makes 30 cookies.

RaspberryYogurtCakefrom200CakeMixCreations

1 white cake mix

1 (6-ounce) container raspberry yogurt*

Topping:

1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping

1 (6-ounce) container raspberry yogurt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cake according to package directions. Gently stir in yogurt. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean; let cool for 15-20 minutes and then chill for 4 hours.

In a bowl, mix together the whipped topping and yogurt. Spread over the cake. Store in refrigerator.

*Blueberry, boysenberry, and lemon yogurt also work.

Death-by-ChocolateCakefrom200CakeMixCreations

¾ cup sour cream

4 eggs

½ cup oil

1 chocolate cake mix

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, beat together the sour cream, eggs, water, and oil until smooth. Add the cake and pudding mixes. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into a greased tube or Bundt cake pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Invert hot cake onto a platter; let cool. When cool, sift powdered sugar over top.

Call it a slow cooker, a crockery cooker, or your best friend, the popularity of these handy machines has exploded recently, and "Mrs. 101" Stephanie Ashcraft has stepped up to the plate (or bowl, or serving tray) with an amazing collection of timesaving recipes. From South of the Border Pot Roast to Hearty Vegetable Soup to Cherries Jubilee, now anyone can make hearty, healthy dishes for the whole family the "throw-n-go" way-simply throw several ingredients into the slow cooker, get on with life, and come home to a kitchen filled with the aroma of real home cooking. 101 recipes for main courses, side dishes, desserts, and more are included, along with suggestions for how and what to serve with each dish, time-saving meal preparation tips, and easy modifications to fit your families tastes.

With the continuing slow cooker craze, 101 More Things to do With a Slow Cooker. With two new sections-Vegetarian Delights and Turkey-this book will be flying of the shelves. More great recipes like Raspberry Chocolate Carmel Fondue, Southwestern Chili, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Mandarin Orange Steaks, Apple Cranberry Pork Chops, and Gooey Cherry Chocolate Cake will make your mouth water just by reading the ingredients. So throw a few ingredients in the slow cooker and go have fun with your family and friends-when you're done, your meal will be too!

101 Things to Do with a Tortilla takes this delicious and nutritious staple of so many countries and brings it into the mainstream with family-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more. Tortillas are a no-fail recipe ingredient, and Stephanie Ashcraft and Donna Kelly show that tortillas aren't just for Mexican food anymore!

Everybody knows that a good salad makes a meal complete and now with this new addition to the 101 line, a salad is never more than a few ingredients away! The book includes Leafy Salads, Main Course Salads, Pasta Salads, BBQ and Picnic Salads, Veggie Salads, Fruit Salads, and Dessert Salads, with an amazing variety of recipes and flavors to suit all occasions. Try Sweet Fiesta Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Cauliflower Shrimp Salad, Cool Pear Salad, Pistachio Salad, and Best Ever Frog-Eye Salad!

One potato, two potato, three potato-four! Introducing the next book in our thriving 101 series, 101 Things to do With a Potato. Each year, the average American consumes close to 140 pounds of potatoes. With that in mind, nothing seems better than a cookbook featuring one of America's major food staples-the potato! "Mrs. 101" Stephanie Ashcraft has ingeniously created simple recipes that take potatoes to a whole new level. Try a Breakfast Burrito in the morning, sample the Sausage Corn Chowder for lunch, have the Italian Potato Chips as a mid-afternoon snack, for dinner try the Potato Crust Pizza, and then savor the Sweet Potato Cheesecake for dessert!

Call it a one-pot, a casserole, or a hot dish, no one can deny the convenience and satisfaction these traditional meals provide! Whether you've had a late night at work, or have limited ingredients and finicky kids, the mighty casserole is the answer to the grumbling in everyone's tummy.

Satisfy all of your chocolate cravings in 101 different ways with the newest addition to the 101 series, 101 Things To Do With Chocolate. Try easy recipes such as Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, Decadent Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Mint Layer Brownies, and Chocolate Pudding-Filled Doughnuts to give you that needed fix. With sections such as Dessert Pizzas and Ice Cream Cakes, you'll find new and delicious ways to enjoy chocolate in addition to all the old favorites.

Everybody knows that meat loaf is the ultimate comfort food, but what else can you do with that easy-to-use, affordable, nutritious freezer staple? Here are 101 easy and delicious recipes to make the most out of ground chuck, hamburger, and turkeyburger.

101 THINGS TO DO WITH MEATBALLS ON TOP OF SPAGHETTI, and a whole lot more! In the newest addition to the 101 series, 101 Things to Do with Meatballs is filled with recipes that will become instant favorites among family and friends. Some of the tasty dishes include Breakfast Burritos, Meatball Sliders, Thai Pizza, Feta Meatballs with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, Tortellini Meatball Stew, Chinese Beef Noodle Soup, Piping Hot Buffalo Subs, Enchilada Meatballs, Chipotle Meatball Pasta, Savory Meatball Lasagna, Tater Tot Kid's Casserole, and Meatball Stroganoff.

There's so much more to pudding than just a dollop of whipped cream on top! This all-time favorite treat gets a makeover with 101 Things to Do with Pudding. Now you can try some amazingly luscious, moist, and inventive recipes Such as Sticky Buns, Banana Cream Cookie Salad, No-Bake Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies, Triple Chocolate Brownies, Cream Cheese Chocolate Nut Pie, Red Velvet Cake, Pumpkin Spice Trifle, and a whole lot more!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I've been experimenting with ingredients that have been coming in my Bountiful Baskets. This recipe is one that I tried making with the mangos that came in the basket. I'll be making this whenever mango go on sale!

We have some great friends, Rob and Emily Matson, who are in the process of adopting 2 children from Ethiopia. They have created these great t-shirts as a means of helping them raise money for their family to go pick the kids up in Africa. If you can help, you can get more information here.

A cake mix is the basic ingredient for these delicious recipes, but cake isn’t the only thing kids will learn to make. Give Black Owl Cookies, Candy Cookie Pops, Bubblegum Bars, or Fruity Pizzas a try. Or, if you really want to be creative, bake some Mini Cupcake Kabobs, Delicious Cake Balls, or Tangy and Twisted Trifle. These recipes are a fun and easy way for kids to enjoy time in the kitchen.

These fun-themed recipes are simple enough for kids to make (with adult supervision), and provide step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow for even a novice chef. Once kids try their hand at baking, maybe they will even help cook dinner!

Stephanie Ashcraft, author of 101 Things to do with a Cake Mix, along with fifteen other culinary offerings, has taught cooking classes based on the tips and meals in her cookbooks for more than 20 years. Cake Mix Cooking for Kids is just one of three books that she is releasing this Fall. Stephanie and her family live in Tucson, Arizona.

For more than 40 years, Gibbs Smith has been specializing in beautifully illustrated lifestyle books covering topics such as interior design, architecture, cooking, children’s, home, green/sustainable, and many others.

My Cookbooks can be used for School Fundraisers.

Savvy Savings Tucson

About Me

I'm a full time mom with an out of control hobby! I am the creator of the 101 Things cookbook series. I've authored or co-authored 16 cookbooks. On a personal note, I have a hard time paying full price for anything. While my husband was working on his PhD, we survived on a minimal food budget. When we had our first baby, my food budget was $125 plus the milk and cereal we received from WIC. We were married 6+ years before my husband started working outside of the university. Frugal became my middle name out of necessity. I started teaching cooking classes at a local grocery store. Every time I taught a class they would give me a $25 gift certificate to their store. By the time we left, I was teaching about 4 classes a month which almost doubled my food budget. People coming to my classes begged me to put my recipes in a book. Thus, the series was born.